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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers Nan Hampton, Jimmy Mills and Barbara Medford to be the culpable and capable parties. Yet, others think staff members Damon Waitt, Joe Marcus and Philip Hawkins might play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Stokesdale, NC
Fast-growing hedge for North Carolina.
I am looking for a fast-grownig evergreen hedge that can be kept no taller than 6 feet. It will be grown in partal sun facing north
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Oak Ridge , NC
Tentative identification of Viola sagittata
I am trying to find name of wildflower, Violet growing in adjoning woods. I have not been able to find it on internet. The non-basal leaves are very irregular in shape, grow to six inches, no two ali...
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Kernersville, NC
Problems with blueberries from Kernersville NC
My blueberry plants have no leaves or scrawny ones. I have 13 plants, 5 of them are like this.
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Kernersville, NC
Groundcover for Road Frontage in NC
I need a fast growing ground cover or perennial flower for 1,000 feet of road frontage about one acre that will choke out weeds. I do not want to do much ground prep or any ground prep. I do not want...
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Kernersville, NC
Does Wax Myrtle Have a Taproot?
Does a wax myrtle have a taproot?
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Greensboro, NC
Patience for slow-growing Baptisia
I have three different varieties of well established Baptisia that I have had for several years ... none of them bloom. One of my plants got a very small flower in April, but just pooped out after th...
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Greensboro, NC
Care for non-native mandevilla in Greensboro, NC
I bought two potted mandevilla vines last year and read on a website for winter care to cut the vine back at least a foot from the soil. However this spring going into summer it has barely produced an...
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Greensboro, NC
Assistance in photographing Turnera diffusa in Rio Grande Valley
Do you know where I can photograph a specimen of Turnera diffusa Willd. ex J.A. Schultes var. aphrodisiaca? I'll be in Texas in May and it is on my list to try and locate. I understand it grows in ...
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Greensboro, NC
Odor and flavor of oils in Mints as insect repellants
I am trying to find information on "How does mint plants repel insects" It's for my grand daughter's science project. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you
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Greensboro, NC
Planting times for aquatic plants from Winston Salem NC
I need to know the correct time of year to plant the following pond plants Swamp Rose Mallow, Southern Blue Iris, Soft Rush, American Bur-reed, American lotus, Woolgrass and Duck Potato Is it better...
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Greensboro, NC
Groundcovers & Shrubs for Shade in North Carolina
Mr Smarty Pants, My neighbor planted cypress trees as a border between his yard and ours and it is sucking up every drop of water and nutrient. We also have a purple plum in the area which creates ...
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Greensboro, NC
Care of butternut trees (Juglans cinerea) with bumpy growths
I have two small butternuts, around 3-4 feet. One has developed very 'bumpy' reddish growths on the leaves that are actually stunting their growth. What do you think it is and what can i do to sto...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Live Oak Leaf Drop in North Carolina
We planted a 15 foot, approx. 3" caliber live oak tree last summer and it seemed very healthy throughout our unusually cold winter in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. (Winston-Salem). Now it's ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Need a tree with a tap root for a small flower bed in Winston-Salem, NC..
Dear Mr Smarty Plants, I am looking for a tree 6-10', somewhat spreading, could flower (not essential) to serve as a focal point in a small bed with small shrubs and perennials. I need a tree with ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Plants to stop creek bank erosion in North Carolina
Hi: I live in NC where most of the dirt is clay based. I have a small creek behind my house that is eroding. The creek overflows when there is a heavy rain and as a result, gradual erosion. My g...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Privacy Screening of House Next Door in NC
Hello, I live in the house my parents bought in 1971 in Winston-Salem, NC. The house beside me is an eyesore and for sale at a very low price. I am afraid the condition of the house and yard next door...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Replacing non-native Paulonia tomentosa in North Carolina
What could I plant in my Winston-Salem, N.C., yard in place of the paulownia tomentosa which is there now (it was NOT something I put there; I only figured out what it was a couple of years ago -- I g...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Control of invasive vine in North Carolina
Hi, I live in Piedmont NC, have vines that twine around my shrubbery and are impossible to pull out of the ground w/o breaking because they are so thin/delicate. The leaves are maple-like (3 lobes), ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Can I Divide Rudbeckia in July in NC.
How do I transplant Blackeyed Susans so I can add them to other parts of the bed. I started with one and it is crowding out other plants, so I would like to transplant to other parts of the yard.
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King, NC
What is white sticky substance in the Mandevilla vine?
When I was watering my Mandevilla one of the vines broke and there was a white, sticky substance that came out of the vine. I was just curious as to what that is.
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Archdale, NC
Planting non-native peach seed from Archdale NC
Planting and watering peach seeds. Can you give advice for my 12 year old who has recently planted some peach seeds in our yard in Archdale NC? Is the fall okay for planting? Watering instructions? I...
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